He was born on March 6, 1928, in Decatur, Ind., son of the late Grady and Nina (Swartz) Light.

Don served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948, stationed in the Philippines. He received a bachelor's degree in forestry from Purdue University.

He married Stella Nurkkala on Sept. 15, 1962, in Bruce Crossing, and worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula.

Don was a member of the Ewen Methodist Church and the Henry A. Holappa VFW Post 9345 in Bruce Crossing, and was a longtime member and past president of the Ottawa Lions Club. He enjoyed skiing, camping with his family and puttering around the house.

He is survived by his wife, Stella, of Paynesville; a daughter, Gwen (Jeff) Young, of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren, Ken, Brendan, Cayla, Morgan and Shannon; a brother, Gerald (Winnie), of Decatur; a sister, Irene Agler, of Evansville, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 15, at the Wandersee Funeral Home in Bruce Crossing, with the Rev. Ted Trudgeon officiating.

Interment will be in the Paynesville Cemetery, with military honors presented by VFW Post 9345 and the Ontonagon County Veterans Association.